How to own a Wolf Legally

Wolves and wolf hybrids make tremendous demands on their owners. Take the time to learn how keep a wolf safely and sanely. Consider the risks to you and your family, any other pets and the wolf itself when you commit to owning one. Depending on what state you live in, you may need a permit to keep a wolf.

Instructions

    • 1

      Master wolf signals, sounds, body language and pup-raising techniques. They differ radically from those used to train dogs.

    • 2

      Expect a wolf pup to grow up into an adult wolf, not to become as tame as a dog. Wolves lack the desire to please people, a quality that was bred into dogs over thousands of years.

    • 3

      Socialize a wolf pup beginning at two weeks. Bottle feed the pup the appropriate formula round-the-clock. You must also stimulate the pup to eliminate and clean it up, as its mother would do in nature. Pups need to live with humans all the time, and have occasional contact with dogs and other humans.

    • 4

      Wean the pup to a meat diet, not kibble. Eventually, you should feed it 2 to 5 pounds of high quality fresh meat per day. You may also be able to get a permit to collect road kill to feed your wolf.

    • 5

      Protect all small children and pets from wolves. A wolf sees small creatures as prey and larger animals as invaders of its territory. Learn the signals wolves give when they're about to attack and find out how to distract them.

    • 6

      Build a pen on at least a 1/2 acre of land for two adult wolves, as wolves and hybrids should not live alone. Use a double chain link fence with a 7-to-8-foot inner enclosure, and an overhang and ground wire. Surround this with a 6-foot outer enclosure to keep intruders out and keep your wolves from escaping.